These notorious criminals will never be released from jail in the UK. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty ImagesThese notorious criminals will never be released from jail in the UK. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty Images
These notorious criminals will never be released from jail in the UK. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty Images

16 notorious criminals who will never be let out of jail

CHILD-killers, serial murders and assassins are among the notorious criminals who will spend the rest of their lives behind bars in the UK.
By Matthew Mohan-Hickson
Published 12th May 2022, 16:00 GMT
Updated 22nd Jul 2022, 13:21 GMT

Whole life orders were first introduced in 1983 and were originally imposed by government ministers.

However after an appeal by a prisoner named Anthony Anderson in 2002, this was removed and the power was given to judges instead.

There are believed to be over 70 criminals serving whole life sentences in the UK currently.

MORE: 9 things it is now illegal for your partner to do to you in a relationship, 6 laws you could be breaking on a trip to the beach in the UK

Among them are serial killers, child murders and plenty more.

We have pulled together a list of some of the prisoners serving whole life sentences currently.

Here are 16 notorious criminals who will never leave prison in the UK.

John Duffy, the so-called Railway Killer murdered three women in the 1980s, he also raped a number of women. He was jailed in 1988 and is serving a whole life sentence. Picture: Two police detectives question a young man in 1986 as part of the investigation into the murders. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

1. John Duffy, the Railway Killer

John Duffy, the so-called Railway Killer murdered three women in the 1980s, he also raped a number of women. He was jailed in 1988 and is serving a whole life sentence. Picture: Two police detectives question a young man in 1986 as part of the investigation into the murders. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images

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Steve Wright, known as the Suffolk Strangler, was given a life sentence, with recommendation that he should never be released, in 2008. He murdered five prostitutes in Ipswich between October 30 and December 10 in 2006. He was caught after flecks of blood were found in his Ford Mondeo.

2. Steve Wright, Suffolk Strangler

Steve Wright, known as the Suffolk Strangler, was given a life sentence, with recommendation that he should never be released, in 2008. He murdered five prostitutes in Ipswich between October 30 and December 10 in 2006. He was caught after flecks of blood were found in his Ford Mondeo. Photo: Pool

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Levi Bellfield is serving two whole life sentences. He murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler in 2002, she went missing from Walton-on-Thames and her body was discovered in Hampshire six months later. He also killed Marsha McDonnell and Amélie Delagrange. In 2022, it was reported that he had admitted killing Lin and Megan Russell.

3. Levi Bellfield

Levi Bellfield is serving two whole life sentences. He murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler in 2002, she went missing from Walton-on-Thames and her body was discovered in Hampshire six months later. He also killed Marsha McDonnell and Amélie Delagrange. In 2022, it was reported that he had admitted killing Lin and Megan Russell. Photo: Rich Garvey

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Peter Tobin was given a whole life sentence in 2009 for the murder of Dinah McNicol in Margate, Kent in 1991. He was also given life sentences in Scotland for the murders of Vicky Hamilton and Angelika Kluk. Police also believe he was responsible for other murders.

4. Peter Tobin

Peter Tobin was given a whole life sentence in 2009 for the murder of Dinah McNicol in Margate, Kent in 1991. He was also given life sentences in Scotland for the murders of Vicky Hamilton and Angelika Kluk. Police also believe he was responsible for other murders. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

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